KeyRoutines
StepFreefile.rename

Rename files automatically with dates on Windows 11

Rename file changes a file or folder's name without moving it. You can write a whole new name, or find and replace part of the current one.

How it works

  • In new-name mode you write the name, often with values such as the original name and today's date.
  • In replace mode you give text to find and what to put instead; advanced options add case matching and regular expressions.
  • The extension is kept by default, so .pdf is added back when your new name doesn't include it.
  • If the name is taken it can skip, replace the other file, or add a number.
  • The result is always a plain name in the same folder, and a folder trigger watching it won't fire for this rename.

Routines that use it

Date-stamp downloads

When Download finished catches a PDF, rename it to its original name followed by today's date.

Clean up camera names

Use replace mode to strip IMG_ from new photos dropped in a folder watched by Folder changed.

Number each export

Read a counter with Read JSON value and rename each new export as Episode plus that number.

Settings

SettingWhat it does
PathThe file or folder to rename.
ModeWrite a new name, or replace text in the current one.
New nameThe new name, e.g. {{ trigger.file.stem }} 2026-10-06.
FindThe text to look for in the name.
Replace withWhat to put instead (empty removes it).
Use regexadvancedTreat the text to look for as a regular expression ($1 in the replacement is the first group).
Match caseadvancedOnly match the same upper and lower case.
Keep extensionKeep the file's extension (.pdf) when the new name doesn't have it.
If existsWhen a file with the new name is already there.

Good to know

  • A new name can't contain a folder path; use Move or copy file to put it elsewhere.

Questions

How do I add today's date to a file name automatically?
In Rename file, write a new name that includes the date value, for example the original name followed by today's date. Run it from a Download finished or Folder changed trigger.
Will it change the file extension by mistake?
No. Keep extension is on by default, so the original extension stays unless your new name already ends with it.

Pairs well with

Step · FilesFree

Move or copy file

Move or copy file puts a file or folder somewhere else, either moving it or leaving the original and making a copy. It is the workhorse behind download sorting, archiving and backup routines.

Trigger · FilesFree

Download finished

Download finished starts a routine when a new file has completely downloaded. It waits until the browser is really done, so your steps never grab a half-written file.

Trigger · FilesFree

Folder changed

Folder changed starts a routine when something happens to files in a folder. It's the trigger for scan folders, screenshot folders, synced folders and anything else that fills up over time.

Step · Data and variablesFree

Format date

Format date writes a date as text in the layout you choose. It's the step behind dated file names, readable times in messages and timestamps in log files.

Step · Data and variablesFree

Replace text

Replace text finds every occurrence of something in a text and swaps it for something else, or removes it. It works on clipboard text, file contents and step results alike.

Step · FilesFree

Get file info

Get file info reads the details of one file or folder and hands them to the rest of your routine. It is handy when a later step needs the extension, the size or the date a file last changed.

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